What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tussle
Example
The two boys tussled on the playground until the teacher intervened. [tussled: past tense]
Example
We had a tussle trying to move the heavy couch up the stairs. [tussle: noun]
scuffle
Example
The police officers scuffled with the suspect before finally apprehending him. [scuffled: past tense]
Example
There was a scuffle between two fans at the football game. [scuffle: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scuffle is more commonly used than tussle in everyday language, especially in informal contexts. Tussle is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tussle and scuffle?
While scuffle is typically associated with an informal tone, tussle may be considered more formal or literary due to its less frequent usage in everyday language.
